An innovative inventor from the Netherlands has found a sustainable way to create coffins for those seeking an eco-friendly afterlife. By combining mycelium, which is the root structure of mushrooms, with hemp fiber in a unique mold, the coffins are grown within a week, resulting in a look comparable to an unpainted Egyptian sarcophagus.
Unlike traditional wooden coffins, which come from trees that take decades to grow and years to decompose in the soil, the mushroom coffins biodegrade in just a month and a half, returning the remains to nature. This eco-friendly approach offers a more sustainable option for those concerned with the impact their death has on the environment.
In the 21st century, it is increasingly possible for individuals to express themselves freely, yet death and funerals remain constrained by tradition that may not align with the deceased’s or their loved ones’ wishes.
Shawn Harris, a U.S. investor in the Loop Biotech company that produces the mushroom coffins, points out that different cultures and traditions may have varying approaches to burial rites. However, many people desire an alternative approach to traditional methods that have remained the same for over half a century, which highlights the need for more sustainable and personalized funeral practices in the modern age.
environmental awareness and sustainability continue to hold greater significance in people’s lives, Loop Biotech offers a solution for those who seek to live out their beliefs in death and the afterlife.
By utilizing mycelium and hemp fiber to create biodegradable coffins, Loop Biotech enables individuals to fully embrace the circle of life and protect nature in the process. The innovative approach offers a way to honor the deceased while also aligning with one’s values and beliefs, promoting a more eco-conscious end-of-life tradition.
Bob Hendrikx, the 29-year-old founder of Loop Biotech, was inspired to create mushroom-based coffins after extensive research on nature, particularly mushrooms, which he discovered are the biggest recyclers on the planet.
Hendrikx sought to create a product that is part of the cycle of life and aligned with nature. The coffins can be draped with moss for burial ceremonies, providing a new tradition for those looking to honor the environment.
For those who prefer cremation, the company also offers mushroom urns that can be buried along with a sapling. The urn will break down naturally, and the ashes can be used to nourish the tree, providing a new sense of connection to the natural cycle of life.
Hendrikx emphasizes that this approach shifts the traditional narrative of death and brings a new perspective that allows individuals to continue thriving as part of something bigger than themselves.
Loop Biotech has teamed up with Natuurbegraven Nederland (Nature Burials Netherlands), which provides six protected parks where remains can be embedded, to prioritize nature in funerals. The company currently has the capacity to produce 500 coffins or urns per month, which are shipped throughout Europe.
Bob Hendrikx notes that the mushroom-based products have gained popularity in Nordic countries, where environmental consciousness is high, and people are familiar with the role of mushrooms in ecosystems.
He believes that by prioritizing sustainability and nature in death, individuals can make a positive impact on the environment and promote a new, sustainable narrative surrounding death and the afterlife.